Interval timer



P 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ET AL 2,568,122

INTERVAL TIMER Filed March 29 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ilr k? E: i

I i I INVEN TORS.

BY ATTORNEY.

p 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ETAL 2,568,122

INTERVAL TIMER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29 1950 ATTORNEY:

Sept. 18, 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ET AL 2,568,122

INTERVAL TIMER Filed March 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 W v I INVENTORS.

BY r

ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ET AL 2,

INTERVAL TIMER Filed March 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS:

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 18, 1951 INTERVAL TIMER William P. Gallagher andPaul G. Bielik, Chicago,- Ill., assignors to International RegisterCompany, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 29,1950, Serial No. 152,545 20 Claims. (01. nan-23) This invention relatesgenerally to timing mechanisms, more particularly to the kind used foractuating an alarm and/or a switch after a predetermined interval oftime.

There are many occasions where it is desirous to have a signal or aswitch or some other device actuated after the lapse of a predeterminedinterval of time. For many of these occasions the interval may be verysmallperhaps a matter of a few minutes, possibly even less than aminute. On other occasions the time interval may be several hours.

For example, in the modern home kitchen the housewife may wish to haveset oil a sound or visual signal after the lapse of two or four minutesneeded for the boiling of eggs. At other times she may desire such asignal to operate after the lapse of a quarter or half hour. At stillother times she may wish to have such a signal after the lapse of two,three, or four hours, or possibly after an hour and a certain number ofminutes.

In other situations it may be desired to operate a switch controlling acoffee percolator, a radio, or a fan.

Timing mechanisms of this kind heretofore provided to operate after alapse of more than an hour have not been useable for accuratelyoperating a signal or switch for a small span of time, such as two orthree minutes. Such timing mechanism heretofore provided for operatingsignals or switches after a lapse of a small interval of time have notbeen suitable for use for operating such devices after a lapse-of morethan an hour. Accordingly, where situations demanded the op erations ofmechanisms for both small and long intervals of time two devices havehad to be used, or one has had to be content with inexactness in theoperation of one.

The main objects of this invention, therefore, ar to provide:

An improved form of timing mechanism which permits the settin thereoffor actuation after the lapse of either a very small or a ratherextended period of time;

A mechanism of this kind in which the setting means may be operated ineither a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction with almost equallyaccurate results;

A device of this kind which may be assembled with a conventional clockmechanism operating the usual hour and minute hands or which may be usedentirely independent of the conventional clock mechanism; and

An improved form of device of this kind wherein the several parts arefew in number, exceed- 2 ingly'simple to manufacture and assemble andthe operation of which is very obvious and the re sults are highlycertain.

In the accompanying drawings- I a Fig. 1 is a front elevation of aninterval timer constructed in accordance with this invention as used inconnection with a conventional clock mechanism and dial; I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the mechanism embodying this invention,the view being taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partly sectional, partly elevational view of the mechanismshown in Fig. 3 as viewed from the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional detail of the time wheel and itsclutch-connected operating gear constructed in accordance with thisinvention;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the timing mechanlsm constructed inaccordance with this inven-' tion as associated with a conventionalclock mechanism and dial such as shown in Fig. l

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail of the time wheel setting and signalreleasing means; i e

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of an interval timer constructed inaccordance with this invention when used independently of theconventional clock mechanism and dial;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the mechanism used for the device shownin Fig. 8 and taken on the same plane as the view shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail "of the timing wheel andits clutch-connected operating gear constructed in accordance with thisinvention for use without the conventional clock mechanism; and

Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the construction i' shown in Figs. 8-12.

A timing mechanism constructed in accordancewith this inventioncomprises a mounting A, in the form of a housing, whereon is arrangeddials B and C, a motor D, and in which is enclosed the setting andrelease mechanism E, and with which a substantially rectangular shapedperipheral 1 flange l2 and to which is secured a cover plate l3 whereonare mounted the dials B and C and between which is arranged the usualcover glass MI The base 15 of the offset part of the mounting A, whichforms the chamber II, is aperturedat certain points in alinement withapertures in the cover plate I3 to provide bearings for certain of theoperating parts of this improved timing mechanism; also, this basemounts pins I and I! which serve as bearings for certain other parts ofthe mechanism. Lugs I8, 99, and 2i struck up from the base I5 providesupport for certain part of the setting and release mechanisrn fi aswill appear presently. a

The housing flange I2 is likewise apertured at certain points to receivescrews, whereby the plate I3 is secured in place, and to receive lugs onthe dial C for securin it in place.

The motor D as herein shown is a synchronous electric motor, enclosed ina suitable housing. It is removably attached to thebase I5 so as toposition a driven pinion 22 the chamber 1 Ifor meshing with the timingwheel 23 of the setting and release mechanism E and the hour and minutehand gearing Fiiwhen that is associated withthis improved setting andrelease mecha- The dial B, as herein shown, is adisk preferablyenameled, secured to the cover plate I3 generally by an adhesive.Foreither of the embodiments herein shown the dial is scored-orotherwise marked to indicate. sixty minutes. In the embodiment shown inFigs. 1 and 6,'the= dial B also bears numerals representative'offivemi-nute divisions beginning andending with 60 at the normaltwevle-hour. position and extend-- ing counter-clockwise. For themodification showninFigs; 8 and 11, numerals representative of thefive-minute divisions are omitted. At the 'normal six-hour position,this dial for either embodiment shown, in Figs. 1 and '6 the dial" Cbears the conventional numeral representative of the hours. For themodification shownwin Figs. 8 and 9 the dial bears, in counter-clockwisedirection, the numerals indicative often-minute divisions. The numeralis omitted becausev of the knob 26. The provision of the alternativeouter .d'ial C, indicating the division of an hour into minutes,makes-it possible touse this interval timer on equipment with whichthere is already-associated a conventional time piece. 'This avoids theconfusion that would ensue, with two time pieces on one piece ofequipment, if this interval timer were useable only when associated withconventional time piece. I

The time setting'and release mechanism E comprises the timing' wheel 23,in the form of a gear, a time wheel setting and signal control shaft 21,a tripper 28, and an hour-adjusting means 29. v i The timing gear 23mounts on the reverse side thereof a smaller gear 3:! (Fig. 5)adjustably held in placeby a diaphragm disk 3| which serves; a a clutchto permit the rotation'of the gear 23 independently of the gear 30. The:gear 30 is formed and positioned to mesh with the motor'driven pinion 22so that the timing wheel 23 makes a complete revolution in one hour. Ontheface of the gear23, opposite the gear 39, is mounted a pawl 60pivoted at BI and normally urged by a spring 62 to swing a transverseshoulder 53 into the path of an hour-adjusting means 29. A stop shoulder62 on a lug 65 punched forwardly from the body of the gear 23 is adaptedto be engaged by the shoulder 63 of pawl 60 to limit the outward swin ofthe pawl on its pivot 6|.

- When this' irriproved fintr'val ltirner -is to be hub of the time gear23 is made hollow so as to receive the minute and hour shafts (see Fig.5). However, when the timer is used with the alternative dial C of Fig.8, the hub of the timing gear 23 is" made solid, and longer on theunderside to compensate for the space occupied by the gearing F tobedescribed presently.

The time setting and signal control shaft 21 is axially shiftable androtatably mounted on the housing base I5 and the cover plate I3. Apinion 32 is positioned so as-to mesh with'the timin whee1'23. androtate the same when-the shaftv2'l is'in its elevated or extendedposition. At its inner end the shaft 21 is recessed at '33 toform apair'of cam-surfaces 34 and 351adjacent the respective hub parts SE and.31 and which coact to control the operation or the signal S. 1

The shaft Z'I'is shouldered at38,"39, and M1. Theshoulderfii coacts withthe tripper 28 where by the shaft 2'1! is held'in itselevated orextended position with the pinion 32 in mesh with the timing gear 23.The sh-oulderiifl is engaged by the end of a spring 4i, which'bearsagainst the housing basel-5,.a'nd normally urges the shaft 21'towardvits inward or retracted position. The intermediate shoulder 48 istapered (see Fig. 7) and coacts with the periphery of the hole in thehousing base ifijthrough which the shaftll extends to arrest the shaft,when released by the tripper 28 after-being elevated'to set thetiming-.wheelj23, and hold saidshaftshort of its fullyretractedposition. The hole in the base I5 through which the shaft 2'!extends is slightly larger thanthe-shaft so that it can lee-urged by aleg 42 of a spring 43 held-on the housing lug *2! to cause suchcontact-of the shoulder with the housing base I5. A' knob-'44 issuitably secured to the end of the shaft 2'!- topermit the axialand'rotatable adjustment thereof.

The tripperZB, as most clearly shown in'Figs. 6 andll, is somewhat minthenature of a bell crank lever" having arms 45,45, and. 41, extendingangularly'of each other from .a connecting base part. The arms Hand 4'!are spaced apart and are apertu'red to permit the tripper to beswingably supported on the housing pin I'I. The tripper. 23 is normallyurged in a counter-clockwise direction by the spring 43 to positiontheshoulder-" isen the arm 45 to engage the shoulder 38 "on the shaft 21,when it'is elevated and thus hold it in that retracted position.Incidentally, the leg 42 of the spring 43 is normally urged againstthe'periphery of the shaft l'l to engage'the shoulder 49 as hereinbeforeexplained. The leg49 of the spring' iB is caught under a lug 50 on thetripper arm 41.

Thearm 26 is-arcuateshaped and extends over toward the hour adjustingmeans 29, being provided atits end with a lug 83 to be actuated thereby,as will more fully be pointed out hereinafter.

. The hour'adjusting means'29 comprises a pair of-sector-sha edratchetsEI and 52 mounted on a shaft 53 journaled on the housingbase l5and the cover plate I 3. The end of the shaft 53 extends out through thedial C and mounts a knob 54 with a. pointer 55. The knob 54 permits theshaft 53 to be oscillated to position the ratchets' 5| and 52" to effectthe desired postponement of the release of the shaft 21. The pointer 55alines itself radially with the hour numerals on the dial B to indicatethe period of the postponed release of the shaft 21 after its elevation.7 The ratchet 5| is formed with four teeth 56 which, when theratchet 5|is rotated clockwise, are positioned in the path of the'shoulder 63 onthe pawl 66. The subsequent engagement of the pawl shoulder 63 with theteeth 56 results in a counter-clockwise movement of the ratchet 5| whicheventually effects a shifting of the tripper to release the shaft 21. Itwill be noted that there are as many teeth 56 on the ratchet 5| as thereare hour markings atthe bottom of the dial-B.

The ratchet 52 is formed with depressions 51 to correspond with theteeth 56. The depressions co'act with 'a V-shaped offset 58 in thespring 59 supported on the lugs l8 l9 and 20 to hold the ratchet 5| inany of its threeadjusted positions away from its zero or normallyretracted position. This ratchet member 52 is provided at one end with alaterally projecting lug 82 adapted to impart tripping motion to theadjacent lug 83 on the tripper 28, as will be later described.

The gearing F is of conventional form for operating the minute and hourhands of a clock. It comprises a gear 66 with a pinion 61, a gear 68with a pinion 69, and gear 16. The gear 66 is journaled on the housingbase I at the center of the chamber II and meshes with the, motor drivenpinion'ZZ. It mounts a. shaft H to which is fixed a minute hand '12. Thegear 68 is an idler journaled on the pin l6 and meshes with the pinion61. The gear '10 is journaled on-the shaft H and meshes-with the pinion69. The gear 16 mounts a shaft 13 on which is fixed an hour hand 14.

A shaft 15 is ,iournaled on the housingA with a pinion l6 meshing withthegear 68. The shaft 15 mounts a knob '1'! whereby the gearing F may bemanually actuated to set the hands 12 and 14 to indicate the propertime.

A' pointer 18 is adapted to be secured to the hub of the timing gear 23to traverse the dial B for indicating the interval of time'for which thesetting and release mechanism E is adjusted.

The signal S, as herein shown, comprises an armature 19 mounted on aspring arm 80 secured to the base of the housing for the motor D. Atongue 8| on the arm 80 is positioned to be engaged by the hub parts 36and 31 or be free in the recess 33. The armature 19 extends into thefield winding of the motor D wherebywhen the field is energized-thearmature tends to reciprocate so as to cause a vibration of the arm 80,thus constituting an audible signal if the tongue 8| is' in the recessintermediate the hub parts 36 and 37. When the shaft 21 is in either ofits extreme positions the tongue 8| is engaged by one or the other ofthe hub parts 36 or 31- so that the armature 19 is immobilized and thesignal S will remain silent.

Where desired, the end of the shaft 21 could be arranged to effect insome other manner the sounding of a signal or the operating of a switchto control a circuit.

terval of time it is desired'to have lapse. before thesign'al is to besounded. The elevation of the shaft 21 shifts the hub part 31 intocontact with the tongue 8| on the arm 80 and thereby immobilizes thesignal S. 1

The knob 44 is marked with an arrow indicating that the rotation of theshaft 21 should be clockwise. Although this is the preferred directionof rotation, the shaft can be rotated in the opposite direction withsubstantially the same eflicient results as can be obtained by turningthe shaft 21 in a clockwise direction. The only difference .in the timeinterval of the release of the shaft 21, between turning one way or theother is the lag in the meshing of the gear 30 with the pinion 22. Oneof the advantages in being able to turn the knob 44 in acounter-clockwise direction is that the pointer 18 may be set'withlessturning of the knob 44 if the time intervalbefore the actuation'of thesignal is greater than one-half hour.

If the desired interval of time is less than an hour, only the knob 44is actuated to elevate the shaft 2'! and adjust the pointer 18 to thepoint on the dial B,'representative of the time to elapse before thesignal S is to sound. I

If the interval of time which it is desired to have elapse after the'setting and before the sounding of the signal is more than an hour, theknob 54 is also turned clockwise so as to shift the hour setting means29 for one, .two, or three hours. This moves the teeth 56 into the pathof the shoulder 63 on the time wheel pawl 60.

It should be understoodv that there is no imperative sequence of theactuation of the knobs 44 and 54. It also should be understood thattheratchet 5| is normally in position to locate the first tooth (from theright) 56.| in position to be engaged and be retracted by the travel ofthe pawl struction) and a given number of minutes up to and including60.

This adjustment of the pointer 18 by the knob 44 rotates the time gear23 so that the shoulder 63 on the pawl 60 is circumferentially removedfrom the aforesaid point of. its retracting engagement with. the ratchettooth 56.l a distance corresponding .with the interval of timethat is toelapse before the signal is to .be freed. When, during the rotation ofthe time gear 23 by the motor D (always clockwise), the pawl shoulder 63approaches a point diametrically opposite the starting point numeral 60on the dial B, it will contact the ratchet tooth 56.! and so shift theratchet 5| that at the instant the cam shoulder 63 is diametricallyopposite said startin point the ratchet 5| will have been shiftedsufficiently to'cause the shoulder 82 on the ratchet 52 to engage theshoulder 83 on the arm 46 of the trip egstesgree :per" 28 and sv'v ingthe" tripper 2-8- against the action of the sprin leg-dash as to retractthe shoulder E8 on-the" arm out or the path ofthe shoulder 3,8 on theshaft 2 1. will permit the spring *fl' toshif-t the shaft 21 toward itsretracted posiis urgedby the spring legv 42,. The shaftl'lbeing thusarrested locates the recess 33 sothat the tongue il-l of the'arm-flfiisrree oi the sh-afthubs 36' and 31, whereupon the field of the motor Dwill reciprocate the armature 19 thus vibrating the arm-8U suflicient tomake an audible signal. i

The signal S is silenced by"a-depressionof the shaft 21 so that the" leg42 ofthe spring 43 is cam'med' outof contact with the shoulder 58 whichpermits the spring" 41': to fully retract the shaft 21. Hot the-arm 8tis engaged by the hub 36 and the signal is thereby immobilized.

When this timer is set for more than anho'u'r the contactofthe pawlshoulder 63 with-the tooth 56';l-isdelayed until said pawl shoulder hascon- 2 tacted oneor more ofthe other teeth and shifted the 'ratchets 5-!and 52 one or more points depending upon how far theratchets' 51 and 52were shifted clockwise, 1

Other variations and modifications in the details of structure andarrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit andcoverage of theappended claims.

We claim:

'1. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting,-. a motor'dr'ivenelement, a time wheel, means connecting said time wheel to saiddriven elementtocause a compute revolution from a start- 'ing point ina'prede'termined period of time, said ineans'including a clutchpermitting said wheel to' be rotated independently of said drivenelemerit, means for setting said wheel in any desired "position awayfromsai'd' startingpoint to permit a subsequent rotationof said wheelbysaid driven element through a predetermined portionor a 1 completerevolution, o'r throughmore than one revolution, ratchet means adaptedto be preset" for Selectively obtaining a timing interval of less thanan: hour or more than an hour, awl means carried-by said time "Wheel andarranged to at:- r 'tuate' said ratcht'mean-s'once for a timing interval ot'less than an hour and arranged to actuatl' said ratchet meansmore than once for a timing interval of more than an hour, and-adeviceactiva'ted by said ratchet means.

'2; A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven element, atime wheel, means connecting said time wheel to said driven element tocause a complete revolution from-a'starting retracting means fordelaying the action of said retractin means until after one Or more fullrevolutions of said wheel, and a device activated by said setting means.

When thus fully retracted the tongue 3. A timing mechanismcomprisingyamounting, a motor drivenelem'ent, a time wheel, means connectingsa-idwheel to said. .driven element to cause a complete revolutionfromastarting point in a predetermined period of time, said'meajns includinga clutch: permitting said wheel. tobe rotated independently of saiddriven element, a normally-retracted wheel-setting. member shittableinto position to engage said wheel to-permilt turning.- of said timeWheelaway fromgsaidstarting point to secure a subsequent rotation Unsaidwheel: bysai'd element-through a predetermined portion-of a completerevolution,.-meansfor releasably holding saidmemberin-v engagement withsaid wheel, a paw-ion said wheel positioned to engage and release saidmember-holdin means whensaid wheel is returned. to said starting point,and. adevice actuated by the release ofv said member 4'. A timingmechanism comprising, a mount.- ing, amotor driven element, a timewheel, means connecting said wheel to said driven element to causeacomplete revolution from astarting point in apredetermined period oftime, said means including a clutch-permitting said wheel to-be rotatedindependently of said. driven elements, normally-retractedwheel-setting. member-shiftable into position to engage said wheelvtopermit turningofsaid time wheel away from said starting point to secure:a subsequentrotationofsaid wheel by saidelement through a.-predetermined portion of a complete revolution,.means for releasablholding said member inengagementwith said wheel, a pawlton. said wheel,a shouldered member oscillatingly positioned on said mounting adjacentsaid wheel SO-flSqtOlOCittB one shoulder in the pathofsaid pawl andasecond shoulder in position to contact said member-holding meanswhereby the engagement: of said one shoulder by saidpawl" causes saidsecond. shoulder to release said member-holding means, and adevicecmatedby therelease of saidmem-ber.

5. A timing mechanism comprising,a mounting, a motor drivenpinion,ati-megear connected withsaid: driven element-so as to complete .-arevolution from a starting point in a-predetermined period. of time,said connectionincluding a clutch permitting said: gear to be rotatedindependently of said driven pinion, an a-Xiallyshiftable shaftrotatably journaled on said m0unting', a pinion on said shaft formeshing with said time gear to permit turning of said time gear awayfrom said startingpoint to secure asubsequent rotation of said.ti-megear by said driven element through a predetermined portion of acomplete revolution, means normally urgingsaid shaft axially todisengage said pinion from said time gear, a knob for axially shiftingand rotating said shaft, a shoulder on saidshait, a tripper normallyurged into position to engage said shoulder for holding said pinion inmesh with saidtime gear, a pawl on said time gear, a shoulderedmemberoscillatingly journaled on said mounting adjacent said time gearso as to locate one shoulder in the path of-said pawl andasecondshoulder in position to contact said tripper whereby the 'engagement ofsaid one shoulder by said pawl causes said secondshoulder to retractsaidtripper from said shaftshoulder, and a device actuated by the release ofsaid shaft.

6. A timing mechanism comprising, amounting, a motor driven pinion, atime gear connected with said pinion to-rnakeione complete rotation froma starting point in an hour, said connection including a clutchpermittingsaid time gear to be rotated independentl of said pinion, anaxially shiftable shaft journaled on said mounting, a pinion'on saidshaft adapted to engage said time gear to permit the turning of saidtime gearaway from said starting point to secure a subsequent rotationof said time, gear by said driven pinion through a predetermined portionof a complete revolution, means normally urging said shaft axially todisengage said shaft pinion from said time gear, a shoulder on saidshaft, a tripper normally urged in position to engage said shoulder forholding said shaft pinion in mesh withsaid time gear, a pawl on saidtime gear, a .pair of axially-spaced sector-shaped ratchetsoscillatingly journaled on said mounting and positionedso that the teethon one of said sectors are in the path of said pawl, means on saidmounting yield ingly engaging said other ratchet to position the teethof said first ratchet in the path of said pawl, ashoulder on said otherratchet positioned to engagecsaid tripper when said time gear pawlcontacts thelast of said teeth onsaid first-mentioned ratchet wherebysaid tripper is actuated to release said axially shiftable shaft todisengage said shaft pinion from said time gear, and a device actuatedby the release of said shaft. J V I 1'7; A timing mechanism comprising,a mounti;ng,'a motor driven pinion, a time gear connected with saidpinion to=make onecomplete rotation froma starting point inan hour,saidconnection includinga clutch: permitting said tiine-gear toberotated independently of said pinion', an xially shiftable shaftjournaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft adapted to engagesaidtime gear to permit the turning of said time gear away'fromsaid-starting point to secure a subsequent rotation of said time gear bysaid driven pinion through a predetermined portion of a completerevolution,1means normally urging said shaft axiall to disengage saidshaft pinion from saidtime gear, a pawl on said time gear, a tripper inthe form of a bell crank lever hinged on said mounting, shoulders onsaid axially shiftable shaft and said tripper adapted to'co- -act tohold said shaft in its extended position to locate said shaft pinion inmesh with said time gear, a spring normally :urging said tripper toposition the shoulderthereon in the path of said shaft shoulder, amember oscillatingly journaledon said mounting adjaeent said time gearand having spaced shoulder parts located on opposite sides of said timegear, the shoulder on one of said parts being located in the pathof saidtime gear pawl to be engaged therebywhen said time gear reachesitsstarting point, the shoulder on said other part being positioned tocontact said trip perfor actuating the same-to release said axiallyshifable shaft, and a device actuated by. the' release of said shaft. 8.A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven element, atime wheel, means connecting said wheel to said driven element to causea complete revolution from a starting point in a predetermined periodoftime, sai d means including a clutch permitting said wheelto be rotatedindependently of said driven element, a normally-retracted wheelsettingmember shiftable into position to engage said wheel topermit turning ofsaid time wheelaway from said"start ing point to secure a subsequentrotation of said wheel by said element through apredetermined portion ofa complete revolution,'meahs for releasably holding said member inengagement'with said wheel, a pawl'on said wheel positioned to engageand release said member-holding means when saidwheel is returned to saidstarting point, a signal, a signal control member, and a cam on saidwheel-setting member adapted to contact Said control member andimmobilize said signal when said wheel-setting member is in engagementwith said Wheel but release saidsignal control member to permit theoperation of said signal when said wheel-setting member is released.

9. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, atime gear connected with said driven pinion so as to complete arevolution from'a startingpoint in a predetermined period of time, saidconnection including a clutch permitting said time gear to be rotatedindependently of said driven pinion, an axially shiftable shaftrotatably journaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft for meshingwith said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from saidstarting point to secure a subsequent rotation of said time gear by saiddriven pinion through a predeterminedlportion of a complete revolution,means normall urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft pinionfrom said time gear, a knob for axially shifting and rotating saidshaft, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normally urged into positionto engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pinion in mesh with saidtime gear, a pawl on said time gear,- a shouldered member oscillatinglyjournaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate oneshoulder in the path of said pawl and a secondshoulder in positio v tocontact said tripper whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by saidpawl causes said second shoulder to retract said tripper from said shaftshoulder, a pair of axially spaced hubs on said shaft, a signaLandasignal control member positionedon said mount ing to be engaged by saidhubs when said shaft is in either limit of its axial movement andimmobilize said signal but be disengaged by said hubs to permit theoperationof said signal when said shaft is in a position intermediatethe limits of its axial movement. 7 p H 10. A timing mechanismcomprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, a time gear connectedwith said driven pinion so as to complete a revolution from a startinpoint in a predetermined period of tim e, said connection including aclutch permitting said time gear to be rotated independently of saiddriven pinion, an axially shif table shaft rotatably journaled on saidmount,- ing, a pinion on said shaft for meshing with said time gear topermit turning of said time gear away from said startingpoint to securea subsequent rotation of said gear by said driven pinion through apredetermined portion of-a complete revolution, means normally urgingsaid shaft axially to disengage said shaft :pinion from said time gear,a knob for axially shiftin and rotating said shaft, a shoulder on saidshaft, a tripper normally urged into position to engage said shoulderfor holding said shaft pin-ion in mesh with said gear, a pawl on saidtime gear, a shouldered member oscillatingly -journaled on said mountingadjacent said time gear so as to locate one shoulder in the path ofsaid.pawl and a second shoulder in position to contact said tripper wherebythe engagement of said one shoulder by saidpawl causes said secondshoulder toretract said tripper from said shaft shoulder the innerend ofsaid shaft being recessedto provide a pair of opposed axially spacedhubs, a. signal, and a signal control member positioned on said mountingto be engaged by either of said hubs to immobilize said signal controlmember when said shaft is in either steam of each of said pairs ofclutch-connected gears, a

shouldered member oscillatingly journaled on said mounting so as tolocate one shoulder in the path of one of said pawls and a secondshoulder in position to contact "said means whereby the engagement ofsaid one shoulder by a pawl causes said second shoulder to release saidshaft, a device actuated by the release of said shaft, said pairs ofsaid clutch-connected gears bein interchangeably positionable in saidhousing for driving by said driven pinion, a pointer attachable toeither of the larger of said pairs of clutchconnected gears whereby saidpointer coacts with said second pair of dials for indicating timeintervals, and supplemental gearing formed to rotate minute and hourshafts adapted to be interposed between said driven pinion and the otherof said pair of clutch-connected gears, and pointers operated by saidsupplemental gearing to coact with said first-mentioned pointer and saidfirst-mentioned pair of dials for indicating time intervals.

15. A timing mechanism comprising a housing, a motor driven pinion,gearing mountable on said housing for actuation by said pinion to movehour and minute hands, two pairs of concentrically arrangeable dialsmountable on said housing, one dial of each pair being scored forminutes whereas' the other dial of one pair bears numerals representingthe hours l-l2 arranged clockwise and the other dial of the other pairbears numerals representing periods of minutes in counterclockwiseorder, two pairs of clutch-connected gears of different diametersmountable in said housing for meshing one gear of each pair with saiddriven pinion to effect the rotation of said pairs of gears from astarting point in one hour,

a normall retracted axially-shiftable and rotatable shaft, a pinion onsaid shaft positioned for engagement with the larger of either pair ofsaid friction-connected gears to permit turning of the larger gear awayfrom said startin point to secure a subsequent rotation of said largergear by said driven pinion through a predetermined portion of a completerevolution, means for releasably holding said shaft with said .pinion inits gear engaging position, a pawl on the larger of each of said pairsof clutch-connected gears, a shouldered member oscillatingly journaledon said mounting so as to locate one shoulder in the path of one of saidpawls and a second shoulder in position to contact said means wherebythe engagement of said one shoulder by a pawl causes said secondshoulder to release said shaft, a device actuated by the release of saidshaft, said pairs of said clutch-connected gears .being interchangeablypositionable in said housing for driving engagement with said drivenpinion, a point-- er attachable to either of the larger of said pairs ofclutch-connected gears whereby said pointer driven by one coacts withsaid second pair of dials for indicating time intervals, andsupplemental gearing formed to rotate minute and hour shafts adapted tobe interposed between said driven pinion and the other of said pair ofclutch-connected gears, pointers operated by said supplemental gearingto coact with said firstmentioned pointer and said first-mentioned pairof dials for indicating time intervals, and manually adjustable meansinterposable between either pair of said clutch-connected gears and saidshaft-holding means for delaying the action of said shaft retractionmeans until after one or 14 more full revolutions of therespective-pairsp'f connected gears.

16. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, atime gear connect edwith said driven pinion so as to complete a'revolution from a starting point in a predetermined period of time, saidconnection including a clutch permitting said time gear to be rotatedin-' dependently of said driven pinion, an axially shiftable shaftrotatably journaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft for meshingwith said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from saidstarting point to cause a subsequent rotation of said time gear b saiddriven pinion through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution,means normally urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft pinionfrom said time gear, a knob for axially shifting and rotating saidshaft, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normally urged into positionto engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pinion in mesh with saidtime gear, a pawl on said time gear, a shouldered member oscillatinglyjournaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate oneshoulder in the path of said pawl and a second shoulder in position tocontact said tripper whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by saidpawl causes said second shoulder to retract said tripper from said shaftshoulder, an annular dial on said mounting arranged with markings incounter-clockwise relation representative of fractions of an hour, and apointer connected with said time gear to coact with said dial toindicate the portion of a revolution for which said time gear is set torevolve by the actuation of said shaft.

17. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, atime gear connected with said driven pinion so as to complete arevolution from a starting point in a predetermined period of time, saidconnection including a clutch permitting said gear to be rotatedindependently of said driven pinion, an axially shiftable shaftrotatably journaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft for meshingwith said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from saidstarting point to cause a subsequent rotation of said time gear by saiddriven pinion through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution,means normally urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft pinionfrom said time gear, a knob for axially shifting and rotating saidshaft, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normall urged into positionto engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pinion in mesh with saidgear, a pawl on said time gear, a shouldered member oscillatinglyjournaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate oneshoulder in the path of said pawl and a second shoulder in position tocontact said tripper whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by saidpawl causes said second shoulder to retract said tripper from said shaftshoulder, interconnected gearing having shafts concentrically arrangedwith said time gear and connected to be so driven by said driven inionthat one of said shafts completes a revolution in one hour and the othercompletes a revolution in twelve hours, pointers fixed to rotate withsaid pairs of concentric shafts and said time gear, and a pair of dialsconcentrically arranged on said mounting to be traversed by saidpointers, the inner of said dials being scored in counter-clockwisedirection to represent fractions of an hour and the outer dial havingthe conventional hour figures of a clock.

a-i i e-i iwrvfliee d ippin v,nieap$11 fina r pi s ti n and-a D My o sli q ble tep in v lsiiipne in, adfl lcve me eeiiw we tr p n mean ada ted9 11? ei r p ae e i iqae rainin as ea d be in ee fi lsllece ve S n i bfiee 1 9 r ne" mean mel's en er impar in mot i s i isi p n aw minute fin meae iee r i v t e i isha p s eiedane lar relation 'between saidstepping pawl and said t med i eansenfi h r refitt n -mea s; iii-feiaiive t a e said t p mean t e eeied stepping position from which saidtripfiing rneanseis adapted to belstepped by said payylin zresterine dit on ba k int .eai .ir' pp e i eeit enwr 19. In tirningapparatns, thecombination of a cleri .a ae e to heac ua eduupo the ve vi Wm Die e e etim i ter v raieh fi vr li o eei irol m t e atuafie i s d ce a atchemean having a pin re aw mean q a t n aidr iWh mea me sa nn n o io me,drive eanami u f et" tine lmeans o e t b i i g a de ir dim d relationbetween said pawl and said time driyen me n and hou se n me ns fo s tinin siyql .step'ne in a wate d ree e saidratchet means whereby one ormoreratchet teeth must be engaged by said pawl beforeisaid ratchetmeanslreaches said tripping position.

20. In an intervaltirner adapted to be set selectivelyeither fortimeintervals of less than an hour 01" :for time intervals of more than anhour,

ti e conibination of t i ne controlled driving eans, a time wheeladaptedto be driven b sa d tim controlled driving ineai'i's at a rate to makeSuki stantially revollition in an hour, atrip'pln g pawl carried byjsaid time w h'eelnormally stand ing at a predetermined'starting point intnepath OflQtfltj-OII of saidtiinewheel, gettm m eans for setting saidtime wheel in" a' backward direction a predetermined distance fromsjaid'starting so thatfor tizning intervals of less than an hour it willrequire the [desired ,tir'ne'interval for the, trippingjpawl to Joe"tinie-drive'n in a forward i rection back to said startin jioint,ratchet me ns d p ed he'e d by a 11311111811 I the latter getsjp ck tosaid starting point, .s "d ratchet means comprising a nlurality' q'ft'eetlfi including a last tripping tooth, means fe rese -r ting saidratchet means Whereby-s-aidftribp fg pawl w n a $ai ri i e'tq .ih m ifirst return to said starting point for tirning n ervals of less thanone hour, or will engagejone or more preceding teeth beioreengaging am atripping tooth for timing intervals of more than one hour, and apparatusadapted to be actuated whe fiel tr pp n p w en a ai s i pm t q h 2 v nWILLIAM GALLAGHER PAUL B-IELI K.

a e NQ s er The following references are of record in the

